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Magglio proud of fast-learning Garcia

Magglio proud of fast-learning Garcia

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Magglio Ordonez

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DETROIT -- It wouldn't be a Tigers postseason without Magglio Ordonez. He can't provide a big hit anymore; he's retired. But he's going to turn in a ceremonial first pitch on Sunday night, before Game 4 of the World Series (8 p.m. ET air time on FOX, 8:15 first pitch).

Ordonez will also be throwing his support behind the Tigers to try to awaken their bats and battle back from a World Series deficit that stood at two games entering Saturday's contest.

"It's not going to be easy," Ordonez said. "They're facing a team that's really hot. [The Giants] are playing really good baseball. They're pitching really good. They're playing real good defense. It's not going to be easy, but they're back home. They have the DH."

Ordonez spent part of his time on Saturday afternoon in the Tigers clubhouse, talking with many of his former teammates as well as his old manager, Jim Leyland. In the process, Ordonez also saw one of his own players.

Avisail Garcia plays for Ordonez's Winter League team in Venezuela during the offseason, though his only playing time has been with the Minor League squad. Garcia's performance in Detroit, however, has resembled that of a young Ordonez, especially with his ability to flick the ball to the right field as a right-handed hitter.

"I haven't watched him very much because he was in the Minor Leagues, and he hasn't played very much in Venezuela," Ordonez said. "But what I've seen so far, when he got called up, he's [been] very good. He's got the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field, but he needs to play. He's still young. He's only 21. He's going to be good."